Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 314.
John Irwin
John Irwin is one of the business men of Santa Paula. A brief sketch of his life is as follows: Mr. Irwin was born in Cherry Tree, Venango county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1841. His father, William Irwin, was a native of the same place, and his grandfather was one of the early settlers of that county, and lived to be eighty-seven years old. His great-grandfather, Richard Irwin, was born in County Armagh Ireland, in 1740, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1761, at the age of twenty-one years. In 1809 John Irwin built the first grist-mill in Cherry Tree, and the first saw-mill in the township was built by Ninian Irwin in 1823. Both John and Ninian Irwin were appointed justice of the peace and held the office for years. Most of this early history was obtained from Judge John Irwin, a judge and prominent citizen of Cherry Tree for many years in the early history of the county of Venango. Mr. Irwin's mother's maiden name was Eliza Stewart. She was a native of the same State, and was a daughter of Elijah Stewart, who was also born in Pennsylvania. When the subject of this sketch was nineteen years old his father died, and upon him devolved the care of the farm and his mother and six children. His early educational advantages were limited, and he is evidently a self-made man. He remained with the family until twenty-eight years of age. When John was quite a small boy his father kept a dairy, and the boys early learned to take charge of the stock. Mr. Irwin says that when he was only eleven years old he both bought and sold cows. he was thus inured to hard work in early life and also learned something of the management of the farm and stock; although he was a slight lad, at twenty-one weighing only 100 pounds. His birth-place was only four miles from the first producing oil well in the oil regions of that State, the Drake, which was opened in 1859. When his farm work was done, Mr. Irwin often worked at the oil wells for wages, and after a time purchased an outfit and took contracts to sink wells. The owner of the well furnished the boiler and engine and wood rig; the other material was furnished by the driller. After working in this way for twelve years, he took an interest in wells and became an oil-well owner. In speaking of productive wells, Mr. Irwin says the most productive well he had anything to do with was the "Old Sherman." It flowed 1,200 barrels per day, and it was estimated that it flowed 1,900,000 barrels, and it was then pumped for twenty years. This well was 600 feet deep.
Mr. Irwin had always taken an interest in stock-raising and in 1883 came to California, prospecting. Mr. Lyman Stewart came at the same time and together they looked the oil region over. After looking the country over they decided that there was a good opening for development. Mr. Stewart telegraphed Mr. W. L. Hardison, and at once they began to make roads to the localities of this work, of which Mr. Irwin was superintendent. Mr. Hardison came out and arrangements were made, and in May, 1883, he went back for machinery and men. Mr. Irwin made the preliminary preparations for the wells at Newhall and then came to Santa Paula Canon and engaged in preparations to drill and develop. When a man goes into new fields in this way, such work is called by oil men wild-cating. Mr. Irwin has done much of this work. He continued at Santa Paula until 1887, when he went to Sespe Canon, eighteen miles east of Santa Paula, where they now have wells, with a pipe line to the refinery. Mr. Irwin is superintendent of field work, having a complete supervision of the whole business of sinking the wells, of their production and of making the roads to them. This is the Sespe Oil Company. Thomas R. Bard is president and W. L. Hardison is general manager.
Mr. Irwin was married in 1868, to Miss Caroline B. Canfield, of Niagara County, New York. They have one son, Ralph, who was born in Cherry Tree, Venango county, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1874.
Mr. Irwin cast his first presidental vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a Republican ever since. He is the owner of property in Santa Paula and a nice cottage near the center of the town. Mr. Irwin is a well informed man, and has had a long experience in the oil business. His efforts in that direction in Ventura County have been crowned with success, and are resulting in the growth and upbuilding of Santa Paula.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 637.
P. J. Hobson [Editor inserted: Peter J. Hobson]
P.J. Hobson is a young business man of Santa Paula, who makes no pretensions to having a history worth writing; but, as he has, by his business fact, made himself a factor in the growth and development of his town, he is deserving of mention in the history of the county; for history is a record of the present as well as the past.
Mr. Hobson was born one mile west of the business center of San Buenaventura, on Ventura Avenue, January 10, 1863. His father, W.D. Hobson, was a business man of that town, - first as a farmer, and afterward extensively engaged in pork and lard packing, with his sons; is now in business in San Francisco. Mr. Hobson's grandfather, William D. Hobson, was born in America, of English ancestors. His mother, nee I. J. Winemiller, was born in Ohio. He is the seventh of a family of ten children, and had a twin sister who died. Young Hobson attended school in Ventura, and finished his education at a business college in San Francisco. For a time he was engaged in farming, and for seven years worked in the packing business. He came to Sant Paula in January, 1887, and bought lard in quantities, which he subdivided and sold at a gain, and also did some business for others in the same direction. He has built twelve dwelling0houses, and owns a half interest in a fine brick block, two stories high, containing three stores, on the best street in Santa Paula.
January 10, 1888, Mr. Hobson was united in marriage with Miss Olive Hink a native of Mendocino County, California, born April 18, 1870. She is a daughter of Samuel Hink, a resident of that part of the State. Mr. Hobson has been a Republican all his life.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 637.
P. J. Hobson [Editor inserted: Peter J. Hobson]
P.J. Hobson is a young business man of Santa Paula, who makes no pretensions to having a history worth writing; but, as he has, by his business fact, made himself a factor in the growth and development of his town, he is deserving of mention in the history of the county; for history is a record of the present as well as the past.
Mr. Hobson was born one mile west of the business center of San Buenaventura, on Ventura Avenue, January 10, 1863. His father, W.D. Hobson, was a business man of that town, - first as a farmer, and afterward extensively engaged in pork and lard packing, with his sons; is now in business in San Francisco. Mr. Hobson's grandfather, William D. Hobson, was born in America, of English ancestors. His mother, nee I. J. Winemiller, was born in Ohio. He is the seventh of a family of ten children, and had a twin sister who died. Young Hobson attended school in Ventura, and finished his education at a business college in San Francisco. For a time he was engaged in farming, and for seven years worked in the packing business. He came to Sant Paula in January, 1887, and bought lard in quantities, which he subdivided and sold at a gain, and also did some business for others in the same direction. He has built twelve dwelling0houses, and owns a half interest in a fine brick block, two stories high, containing three stores, on the best street in Santa Paula.
January 10, 1888, Mr. Hobson was united in marriage with Miss Olive Hink a native of Mendocino County, California, born April 18, 1870. She is a daughter of Samuel Hink, a resident of that part of the State. Mr. Hobson has been a Republican all his life.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 290.
Joseph Hobart
Joseph Hobart is a pioneer of the State of California and one of the most prominent horticulturists of the Upper Ojai Valley. His life history would make a book of most interesting reading, but in the short space allowed in a work of this character only a brief outline can be given. He comes of hardy New England ancestry; and in the early pioneer days of California, only the men of strong will power braved the dangers of the long journey to the far West and, once there, stayed and helped to make the country what it is to-day; and it is to their indomitable qualities that California owes the proud position she now occupies among the sisterhood of States.
Mr. Hobart is a native of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. His father, Benjamin Hobart, was a native of the same town, was a graduate of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, later became a manufacturer and made the first tacks ever made in the United States. He was a member of the Congregational Church. His death occurred in 1875. Mr. Hobart's grandfather, Colonel Aaron Hobart, was born in the same town, and was a foundryman. He cast cannon to be used in the Revolutionary war. The original ancestor of the family in America landed at Hingham, Massachusetts in 1632, and was one of the first pastors of the Hingham Church. Mr. Hobart's mother, nee Deborah Lazell, was a descendant of the Huguenots, and was the mother of twelve children, five daughters and two sons still living. Mr. Hobart received his education at the Phillips (Exeter, New Hampshire,) Academy and at the Leicester Academy, Massachusetts. Being feeble in health and afflicted with asthma, he was advised to go to sea, and his second voyage brought him to San Francisco, in 1849. He returned to that city in 1856, and, in company with his brother, engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business, which proved a success and which they conducted until 1864. He then sold his interest and went to New York and Boston, and in 1871, health again failing, returned to San Francisco. Being troubled with asthma, he then came to Southern California, first to Santa Barbara and then to Upper Ojai Valley. Being delighted with the country, and finding it conducive to health, he purchased 441 acres of land on which he built and planted and on which he has since resided. The altitude of this land is 1,100 feet above sea level, and it is located four miles east of the village of Nordhoff. With him everything was experimental, and those who have not experienced the disappointments and failures know nothing of the difficulties under which the early settlers labored; but intelligent industry has gained the victory, and Mr. Hobart now has one of the finest fruit ranches in this beautiful valley. During his eighteen years' residence in the Ojai Valley he has never had an attack of asthma. He has 1,500 large bearing apricot trees, loaded with fruit; 1,000 French prunes in the same fine condition; 1,000 almond trees also bearing abundantly, and a large orchard devoted to a general variety of delicious fruits. He keeps his ranch in a most excellent condition, has his own fruit-dryer, and has a nuthuller of his own invention that makes hulling of the nuts quite easy. To give an idea of the productiveness of the land we state that, in 1888, from 285 almond trees, Mr. Hobart sold $784 worth of nuts, and the prospect is still better this year. Mr. Hobart has also given some attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle, principally for his own use.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, a native of Philadelphia, a Quaker, and a lady of Scotch-English descent. This union has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Gertrude. Their cozy California home, embowered with trees and vines, at once denotes the intelligence and refinement of its inmates. Mr. Hobart is a gentleman pleasant in his manner and pronounced in his ideas on all subjects. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and is School trustee of his district. He is a decided Republican, and a man of influence in the county.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 290.
Joseph Hobart
Joseph Hobart is a pioneer of the State of California and one of the most prominent horticulturists of the Upper Ojai Valley. His life history would make a book of most interesting reading, but in the short space allowed in a work of this character only a brief outline can be given. He comes of hardy New England ancestry; and in the early pioneer days of California, only the men of strong will power braved the dangers of the long journey to the far West and, once there, stayed and helped to make the country what it is to-day; and it is to their indomitable qualities that California owes the proud position she now occupies among the sisterhood of States.
Mr. Hobart is a native of Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. His father, Benjamin Hobart, was a native of the same town, was a graduate of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, later became a manufacturer and made the first tacks ever made in the United States. He was a member of the Congregational Church. His death occurred in 1875. Mr. Hobart's grandfather, Colonel Aaron Hobart, was born in the same town, and was a foundryman. He cast cannon to be used in the Revolutionary war. The original ancestor of the family in America landed at Hingham, Massachusetts in 1632, and was one of the first pastors of the Hingham Church. Mr. Hobart's mother, nee Deborah Lazell, was a descendant of the Huguenots, and was the mother of twelve children, five daughters and two sons still living. Mr. Hobart received his education at the Phillips (Exeter, New Hampshire,) Academy and at the Leicester Academy, Massachusetts. Being feeble in health and afflicted with asthma, he was advised to go to sea, and his second voyage brought him to San Francisco, in 1849. He returned to that city in 1856, and, in company with his brother, engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business, which proved a success and which they conducted until 1864. He then sold his interest and went to New York and Boston, and in 1871, health again failing, returned to San Francisco. Being troubled with asthma, he then came to Southern California, first to Santa Barbara and then to Upper Ojai Valley. Being delighted with the country, and finding it conducive to health, he purchased 441 acres of land on which he built and planted and on which he has since resided. The altitude of this land is 1,100 feet above sea level, and it is located four miles east of the village of Nordhoff. With him everything was experimental, and those who have not experienced the disappointments and failures know nothing of the difficulties under which the early settlers labored; but intelligent industry has gained the victory, and Mr. Hobart now has one of the finest fruit ranches in this beautiful valley. During his eighteen years' residence in the Ojai Valley he has never had an attack of asthma. He has 1,500 large bearing apricot trees, loaded with fruit; 1,000 French prunes in the same fine condition; 1,000 almond trees also bearing abundantly, and a large orchard devoted to a general variety of delicious fruits. He keeps his ranch in a most excellent condition, has his own fruit-dryer, and has a nuthuller of his own invention that makes hulling of the nuts quite easy. To give an idea of the productiveness of the land we state that, in 1888, from 285 almond trees, Mr. Hobart sold $784 worth of nuts, and the prospect is still better this year. Mr. Hobart has also given some attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle, principally for his own use.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1860, to Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, a native of Philadelphia, a Quaker, and a lady of Scotch-English descent. This union has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret and Gertrude. Their cozy California home, embowered with trees and vines, at once denotes the intelligence and refinement of its inmates. Mr. Hobart is a gentleman pleasant in his manner and pronounced in his ideas on all subjects. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and is School trustee of his district. He is a decided Republican, and a man of influence in the county.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 308.
Thomas Harwood
Thomas Harwood, of Saticoy, is a California pioneer, who came into the State in 1850. He was born in Gibson County, Indiana, November 24, 1841. He was the son of Thomas Harwood, Sr., a native of New York, and the grandson of Ruthland Harwood, who came from England. His mother, Sarah Harwood, was a native of England, They had six children, only three of whom survive. Thomas Harwood obtained most of his education in California, as he was only nine years of age when he came to this State. For fifteen years he was engaged in the freighting business from Marysville to Virginia City, with a ten-mule team and a large wagon. The distance was 120 miles, over mountain roads; the round trip was performed in twenty days. They hauled five tons and cleared nearly $500 each trip. Some of the mountain sides were steep, and the road formed many loops to make the grade possible, and then the hind wheels were dragged down on shoes to keep them from revolving. From there Mr. Harwood went to Butte County, and engaged in ranching; he had 2,400 acres of land, on which he kept about 2,000 sheep. The net income while he was on this ranch was about $3,000. He continued in this business about twelve years when he sold out and came to Ventura, and bought a fine ranch where he now resides. The ranch contains 152 acres, for which he paid $18,000. There are twenty-five acres of bearing apricot trees, the fruit of which they market both green and dry, and a large orange and lemon grove and other citrus fruits; and he is now raising large quantities of beans and corn, both being a paying crop. In two years, at the present prices, the property will have paid all expenses and will have returned the purchase money. He raised 2,100 pounds of Lima beans to the acre, on forty acres of land, which are now worth five cents per pound; the land only cost him $70 per acre. He has raised ninety bushels of shelled corn to the acre, and it is now worth $1 per hundred pounds; he is also raising some Belmont horses.
Mr. Harwood was married in 1876, to Miss E.A. Mastin, born November 14, 1859, in Quincy, Plumas County, California; her parents were natives of Georgia and South Carolina. They have four children, three born in Butte County, California, as follows: Thomas F., born September 26, 1879; Oliver, December 4, 1881; Henry Irvin, October 9, 1883; and Frederick W., born in Ventura County, August 21, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of the Congregational Church. In his political views Mr. Harwood is a Republican, and has frequently held the office of School Trustee. He is an intelligent California, and is alive to the interests of his State, and highly esteemed by his neighbors.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 308.
Thomas Harwood
Thomas Harwood, of Saticoy, is a California pioneer, who came into the State in 1850. He was born in Gibson County, Indiana, November 24, 1841. He was the son of Thomas Harwood, Sr., a native of New York, and the grandson of Ruthland Harwood, who came from England. His mother, Sarah Harwood, was a native of England, They had six children, only three of whom survive. Thomas Harwood obtained most of his education in California, as he was only nine years of age when he came to this State. For fifteen years he was engaged in the freighting business from Marysville to Virginia City, with a ten-mule team and a large wagon. The distance was 120 miles, over mountain roads; the round trip was performed in twenty days. They hauled five tons and cleared nearly $500 each trip. Some of the mountain sides were steep, and the road formed many loops to make the grade possible, and then the hind wheels were dragged down on shoes to keep them from revolving. From there Mr. Harwood went to Butte County, and engaged in ranching; he had 2,400 acres of land, on which he kept about 2,000 sheep. The net income while he was on this ranch was about $3,000. He continued in this business about twelve years when he sold out and came to Ventura, and bought a fine ranch where he now resides. The ranch contains 152 acres, for which he paid $18,000. There are twenty-five acres of bearing apricot trees, the fruit of which they market both green and dry, and a large orange and lemon grove and other citrus fruits; and he is now raising large quantities of beans and corn, both being a paying crop. In two years, at the present prices, the property will have paid all expenses and will have returned the purchase money. He raised 2,100 pounds of Lima beans to the acre, on forty acres of land, which are now worth five cents per pound; the land only cost him $70 per acre. He has raised ninety bushels of shelled corn to the acre, and it is now worth $1 per hundred pounds; he is also raising some Belmont horses.
Mr. Harwood was married in 1876, to Miss E.A. Mastin, born November 14, 1859, in Quincy, Plumas County, California; her parents were natives of Georgia and South Carolina. They have four children, three born in Butte County, California, as follows: Thomas F., born September 26, 1879; Oliver, December 4, 1881; Henry Irvin, October 9, 1883; and Frederick W., born in Ventura County, August 21, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood are members of the Congregational Church. In his political views Mr. Harwood is a Republican, and has frequently held the office of School Trustee. He is an intelligent California, and is alive to the interests of his State, and highly esteemed by his neighbors.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Republican Profession Development Opportunities Online:
Many opportunities exist, for online Republican Professional Development. Please review some of the following web-based resources:
"Are you talking to me?", A Guide to Reaching Young Voters, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics.
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/IOP_Voters_Guide.pdf
The Voter Registration and Mobilization Guide, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (September 2006).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/voter_registration_guide.pdf
A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Voting, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (2008).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/absentee_ballot_guide.pdf
GOPAC's 2004 Get-Out-The-Vote guide:
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/GOTV.pdf
GOPAC's "Precinct Leader Get Out the Vote Handbook":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Precinct.pdf
GOPAC's "Money" (A Step-by-Step Guide to Raise the Necessary Capital for Winning Your Campaign):
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Money.pdf
GOPAC's "Winning Habits of Successful Legislators":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Winning.pdf
"Are you talking to me?", A Guide to Reaching Young Voters, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics.
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/IOP_Voters_Guide.pdf
The Voter Registration and Mobilization Guide, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (September 2006).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/voter_registration_guide.pdf
A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Voting, from the Harvard University Institute of Politics (2008).
http://www.iop.harvard.edu/pdfs/absentee_ballot_guide.pdf
GOPAC's 2004 Get-Out-The-Vote guide:
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/GOTV.pdf
GOPAC's "Precinct Leader Get Out the Vote Handbook":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Precinct.pdf
GOPAC's "Money" (A Step-by-Step Guide to Raise the Necessary Capital for Winning Your Campaign):
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Money.pdf
GOPAC's "Winning Habits of Successful Legislators":
http://grahamsgrassroots.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Winning.pdf
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 307.
E. W. Harrold
E. W. Harrold is one of the many prominent citizens who lived in the beautiful valley of Saticoy. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 8, 1839, and is the son of Jonathan Harrold, a planter, born in Virginia, of English ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was two years old his parents removed to Illinois, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years he was engaged in stock-raising for beef, conducting the business on a large scale. he moved from that State to Texas, where he spent ten years in the same business. In 1886 he came to San Francisco, and from there to his present ranch, five miles and a half nearly due west of Santa Paula, where he owns 2,500 acres of choice land. He has erected a new house on an eminence overlooking the whole valley, the view from which is exceedingly beautiful. The entire valley, with its fine ranches and comfortable homes, and the mountains opposite, is a picture that the visitor beholds with delight and does not soon forget. Mr. Harrold's residence can be seen for many miles in every direction. A large portion of the ranch is planted to olives. They are devoting 375 acres to walnuts, and fifty acres to corn. Some thoroughbred Jersey cattle are kept on the ranch for home use.
Mr. Harrold was married in 1886, in San Francisco, to Miss Clarise Harris, a native of Maryland, an accomplished lady, the daughter of J.B. Harris, who was born in New York in 1830. He has for some time been prominent in railroad building; was assistant superintendent of the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, superintendent of the South Pacific to Fort Yuma, of the western part of the Northern Pacific; is now engaged in the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Mr. and Mrs. Harrold have two interesting children: John H., born in Texas, June 24, 1887, and E.B. Harrold, Jr., born October 28, 1888. Mrs. Harrold is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Harrold's political views are Republican, but he is liberal and independent in politics as well as other topics.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 307.
E. W. Harrold
E. W. Harrold is one of the many prominent citizens who lived in the beautiful valley of Saticoy. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 8, 1839, and is the son of Jonathan Harrold, a planter, born in Virginia, of English ancestry. When the subject of this sketch was two years old his parents removed to Illinois, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years he was engaged in stock-raising for beef, conducting the business on a large scale. he moved from that State to Texas, where he spent ten years in the same business. In 1886 he came to San Francisco, and from there to his present ranch, five miles and a half nearly due west of Santa Paula, where he owns 2,500 acres of choice land. He has erected a new house on an eminence overlooking the whole valley, the view from which is exceedingly beautiful. The entire valley, with its fine ranches and comfortable homes, and the mountains opposite, is a picture that the visitor beholds with delight and does not soon forget. Mr. Harrold's residence can be seen for many miles in every direction. A large portion of the ranch is planted to olives. They are devoting 375 acres to walnuts, and fifty acres to corn. Some thoroughbred Jersey cattle are kept on the ranch for home use.
Mr. Harrold was married in 1886, in San Francisco, to Miss Clarise Harris, a native of Maryland, an accomplished lady, the daughter of J.B. Harris, who was born in New York in 1830. He has for some time been prominent in railroad building; was assistant superintendent of the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, superintendent of the South Pacific to Fort Yuma, of the western part of the Northern Pacific; is now engaged in the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Mr. and Mrs. Harrold have two interesting children: John H., born in Texas, June 24, 1887, and E.B. Harrold, Jr., born October 28, 1888. Mrs. Harrold is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Harrold's political views are Republican, but he is liberal and independent in politics as well as other topics.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 620.
Wallace L. Hardison
Wallace L. Hardison, of Santa Paula, is one of the most prominent business men of Ventura County or Southern California. Joseph Hardison, the originator of the family in America, came to that part of Massachusetts now embraced in the State of Maine before the Revolution, and it is believed from Sweden. His son, Joseph Hardison, and his grandson, Ivory Hardison, and his great grandson, Wallace L. Hardison (the subject of this sketch), were all born in Caribou, Aroostock County, Maine. Mr. Hardison's father was born in 1802, and he dates his own birth in August 26, 1850. His mother, Dorcas (Abbott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, in 1804, and was a descendant of the old Abbott family, statesmen and authors of the early history of the country. There were eleven children in his family, of whom he was the youngest. His education was received in the public schools and a short course in the Holton Academy; before reaching maturity his business had been that of farming. In 1869, when nineteen years of age he came to Humboldt County, California, where for a short time he worked for wages; soon, however, he began to work for himself, as a contractor, in a small way. In the fall of 1870 he went East to Pennsylvania, and engaged in work for his brother, who was controlling the drilling of oil wells. In the course of a year he was taken into partnership, and in another year he began to operate for oil on his own account. While in Pennsylvania he was connected with the drilling of 300 oil wells. The first well he owned was the Eaton and Grant, the time occupied on it before it began to produce oil was about three months, and its production was 100 barrels per day. While engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, he purchased the Eaton farm in Saline and Ellsworth counties, Kansas, and afterward purchased other lands adjoining, to the amount of 10,000 acres, which he stock with horses, cattle and hogs, introducing some fine blooded horses to improve the stock. After running this property eight years, a stock company was formed, and half of the stock was sold to F. G. Babcock, of New York, and the other half was sold the following April. July 1, 1888, Mr. Hardison took stock and started the National Bank of Saline, Kansas, and for four years owned the controlling interest and was its president until March, 1885, when he sold his interest; but he is still a stockholder. In 1882, with other gentlemen, he organized the Eldred Bank of McLean County, Pennsylvania, and was its president until 1884, and still retains stock. Through the influence of Mr. Lyman Stewart Mr. Hardison, in April, 1883, visited the oil regions of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and was so impressed with the country - the prospect for oil, the fertility of the soil and the excellent climate - that he decided to move here, which he did in July 17, 1883. In connection with Lyman Stewart, Milton Stewart and others, they drilled seven wells, six at Pico Canon and one at Santa Paula Canon. Only one of these wells was a producing well, which yielded a large amount, and is still producing splendidly. They have organized the Hardison-Stewart Company, and have drilled forty wells. They also organized the Sespe Oil Company, composed of Thomas R. Bard, Daniel McFarland and others, and have drilled twenty-seven wells. In connection with Thomas Bond, W. Chaffee, Messrs. Stewart, Dolbeer and others they have built pipe lines from the wells to Hueneme, Ventura, and Santa Paula, and a refinery at Santa Paula. This crude oil is shipped all over the country, and the refined oil finds the principal market at San Francisco and Los Angeles. They also manufacture lubricating oils, gas oils and asphaltum. Their grade petroleum is largely used for fuel, for the generation of steam. They built a steamboat, at a cost of about $65,000 to carry oil in bulk to San Francisco; her capacity was 160,000 gallons. It caught fire and burned at the dock, and has not yet been replaced.
Mr. Hardison has assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Santa Paula, and is one of the directors and a stock-holder. He has been a factor in the organization of the Universalist Church of Santa Paula, and also in the starting of the Santa Paula Academy. He is president of the Horse and Cattle Company. In 1883 he bought 6,400 acres of the ex-Mission Rancho, and a company was formed to which he sold the ranch. Before organizing the company he had sold interests in the ranch to his brother, Harvey, and to his nephew, C. P. Collins, and also to John R. D. Say, At the time of organization the company had about 500 head of cattle. Mr. Hardison still retains stock in this enterprise. In 1885 he imported twenty thoroughbred registered Holstein cows and a bull from Holland, through a cattle firm of Hornellsville, New York, They are doing finely. Mr. Hardison is present of and a stockholder in the Santa Paula Hardware and Stove Company, who have just completed a very large and expensive store building, an ornament to the place and a credit to their reputation. It is fully stocked to demand all the modern requirements in the line of hardware. The building is 62 x 80 feet, with a rear addition 40 x 60 feet, for stoves, making the total depth 140 feet. Mr. Hardison is also a director of the Los Posos Land & Water Company, conducting an extensive enterprise. His home place, of eighty acres, is situated in a beautiful locality in the Santa Paula Canon, a mile and a quater from town, where they enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding country. Mr. Hardison has here built an elegant house, on a beautiful site, surrounded with grounds, to his taste, where he enjoys the comforts of home life. When in Pennsylvania, he represented his district in the Legislature during the exciting sessions of 1880-'81. In his political views he is a Republican; in his religious, a Universalist, and he is a total-abstinence man with reference to strong drink and tobacco. He has a fine physical development and is a splendid representation of the self-made American business man.
In 1875, Mr. Hardison was united in matrimony with Miss Clara McConnell, of Venango County, Pennsylvania. Her father, William Benjamin Harrison McDonald, now resides in Santa Paula. Mr. and Mrs. Hardison have five children, three of whom are living, namely: Guy Lyman, born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1876; Gussie, born in McKean County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1880, and Hope, born in Santa Paula, April 2, 1889.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 620.
Wallace L. Hardison
Wallace L. Hardison, of Santa Paula, is one of the most prominent business men of Ventura County or Southern California. Joseph Hardison, the originator of the family in America, came to that part of Massachusetts now embraced in the State of Maine before the Revolution, and it is believed from Sweden. His son, Joseph Hardison, and his grandson, Ivory Hardison, and his great grandson, Wallace L. Hardison (the subject of this sketch), were all born in Caribou, Aroostock County, Maine. Mr. Hardison's father was born in 1802, and he dates his own birth in August 26, 1850. His mother, Dorcas (Abbott) Hardison, was born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, in 1804, and was a descendant of the old Abbott family, statesmen and authors of the early history of the country. There were eleven children in his family, of whom he was the youngest. His education was received in the public schools and a short course in the Holton Academy; before reaching maturity his business had been that of farming. In 1869, when nineteen years of age he came to Humboldt County, California, where for a short time he worked for wages; soon, however, he began to work for himself, as a contractor, in a small way. In the fall of 1870 he went East to Pennsylvania, and engaged in work for his brother, who was controlling the drilling of oil wells. In the course of a year he was taken into partnership, and in another year he began to operate for oil on his own account. While in Pennsylvania he was connected with the drilling of 300 oil wells. The first well he owned was the Eaton and Grant, the time occupied on it before it began to produce oil was about three months, and its production was 100 barrels per day. While engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, he purchased the Eaton farm in Saline and Ellsworth counties, Kansas, and afterward purchased other lands adjoining, to the amount of 10,000 acres, which he stock with horses, cattle and hogs, introducing some fine blooded horses to improve the stock. After running this property eight years, a stock company was formed, and half of the stock was sold to F. G. Babcock, of New York, and the other half was sold the following April. July 1, 1888, Mr. Hardison took stock and started the National Bank of Saline, Kansas, and for four years owned the controlling interest and was its president until March, 1885, when he sold his interest; but he is still a stockholder. In 1882, with other gentlemen, he organized the Eldred Bank of McLean County, Pennsylvania, and was its president until 1884, and still retains stock. Through the influence of Mr. Lyman Stewart Mr. Hardison, in April, 1883, visited the oil regions of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and was so impressed with the country - the prospect for oil, the fertility of the soil and the excellent climate - that he decided to move here, which he did in July 17, 1883. In connection with Lyman Stewart, Milton Stewart and others, they drilled seven wells, six at Pico Canon and one at Santa Paula Canon. Only one of these wells was a producing well, which yielded a large amount, and is still producing splendidly. They have organized the Hardison-Stewart Company, and have drilled forty wells. They also organized the Sespe Oil Company, composed of Thomas R. Bard, Daniel McFarland and others, and have drilled twenty-seven wells. In connection with Thomas Bond, W. Chaffee, Messrs. Stewart, Dolbeer and others they have built pipe lines from the wells to Hueneme, Ventura, and Santa Paula, and a refinery at Santa Paula. This crude oil is shipped all over the country, and the refined oil finds the principal market at San Francisco and Los Angeles. They also manufacture lubricating oils, gas oils and asphaltum. Their grade petroleum is largely used for fuel, for the generation of steam. They built a steamboat, at a cost of about $65,000 to carry oil in bulk to San Francisco; her capacity was 160,000 gallons. It caught fire and burned at the dock, and has not yet been replaced.
Mr. Hardison has assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of Santa Paula, and is one of the directors and a stock-holder. He has been a factor in the organization of the Universalist Church of Santa Paula, and also in the starting of the Santa Paula Academy. He is president of the Horse and Cattle Company. In 1883 he bought 6,400 acres of the ex-Mission Rancho, and a company was formed to which he sold the ranch. Before organizing the company he had sold interests in the ranch to his brother, Harvey, and to his nephew, C. P. Collins, and also to John R. D. Say, At the time of organization the company had about 500 head of cattle. Mr. Hardison still retains stock in this enterprise. In 1885 he imported twenty thoroughbred registered Holstein cows and a bull from Holland, through a cattle firm of Hornellsville, New York, They are doing finely. Mr. Hardison is present of and a stockholder in the Santa Paula Hardware and Stove Company, who have just completed a very large and expensive store building, an ornament to the place and a credit to their reputation. It is fully stocked to demand all the modern requirements in the line of hardware. The building is 62 x 80 feet, with a rear addition 40 x 60 feet, for stoves, making the total depth 140 feet. Mr. Hardison is also a director of the Los Posos Land & Water Company, conducting an extensive enterprise. His home place, of eighty acres, is situated in a beautiful locality in the Santa Paula Canon, a mile and a quater from town, where they enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding country. Mr. Hardison has here built an elegant house, on a beautiful site, surrounded with grounds, to his taste, where he enjoys the comforts of home life. When in Pennsylvania, he represented his district in the Legislature during the exciting sessions of 1880-'81. In his political views he is a Republican; in his religious, a Universalist, and he is a total-abstinence man with reference to strong drink and tobacco. He has a fine physical development and is a splendid representation of the self-made American business man.
In 1875, Mr. Hardison was united in matrimony with Miss Clara McConnell, of Venango County, Pennsylvania. Her father, William Benjamin Harrison McDonald, now resides in Santa Paula. Mr. and Mrs. Hardison have five children, three of whom are living, namely: Guy Lyman, born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1876; Gussie, born in McKean County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1880, and Hope, born in Santa Paula, April 2, 1889.
***
Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.
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